2006 |
October 22, 2006
Prayer: Who Needs It?
Rev. Elizabeth Lerner
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You can probably guess some of the answer to this question that frames the service this morning, but your minister is willing to bet you can't guess all of it … so come find out if she’s right. |
October 15, 2006
Spirituality and the Blues
Barbara Martin
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Barbara Martin, blues singer, songwriter, and guitarist, will present "Spirituality and the Blues," a history of the blues, what they express in the human soul, and their personal meaning to her. The program combines blues music from 1890 to 1930, along with Barbara's original blues songs. |
October 8, 2006
Music as Worship - Part II: The Evolving Spirit
Michael Holmes, Music Director
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This service honors the 70th birthday of Jewish-American composer Steve Reich, called "America's greatest living composer" (The Village Voice), "the most original music thinker of our time" (The New Yorker), and "among the great composers of the [20th] century" (New York Times). Reich's compositional principles, sometimes labeled "minimalist," can send the listener through a timeless evolving spiritual process through gradual changes in rhythm, melody, and texture. The music can represent metaphorically the growth and life cycles such as samsara in Hinduism, punarbhava in Buddhism, or rebirth and resurrection in some religions in the West. More specifically and perhaps more relevant to Westerners would be the kind of personal spiritual evolutions and struggles that Hermann Hesse explored in his parable Siddhartha. Michael Holmes invites you to probe into the mechanics of this hypnotic and mysterious music, that which has no apparent beginning, middle, or end. (The service will feature members of the "Great Noise Ensemble" from Washington D.C.) |
October 1, 2006
Choosing Champions
Rev. Elizabeth Lerner and Rev. Robert Latham
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Robert Latham of our sibling UU congregation in Wilmington, DE, will speak and Reverend Liz will conduct the service for our Pledge Drive Kickoff worship. This dynamic service will feature great preaching, a wide and deep range of music from various groups within the church, and a crucial message and moment in the life of our church. |
September 24, 2006
Living Matters
Rev. Elizabeth Lerner
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September 17, 2006
Long Sermon (on a Pretty Sunday)
Rev. Elizabeth Lerner
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Living south of the Mason Dixon line has changed your minister a lot, perhaps especially in terms of country music. Didn’t hear much of it up in New England, but you can’t miss it here, and miss it I would, after all this time. In recent years, country music has become a potent catalyst for reflection, questioning, concern and understanding. This service will explore some particular pieces of recorded music and their significance to a Unitarian Universalist, a liberal, a Yankee and a seeker. |
September 10, 2006
Ingathering Worship
Rev. Elizabeth Lerner and Mandy Keithan, DRE
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Enter, rejoice and come in, as the hymn goes, as we reconvene for our annual ingathering Water Communion service. Bring your water from near and far, wherever you have spent the summe months we want it all: sprinkler water, river water, ocean water, tap water–we’ll celebrate and blend it as we honor our own reconvening and blending as a congregation. This intergenerational service has something for all ages so bring family and feel free to bring friends, too. See you soon! |
September 3, 2006 Becoming, Awake
Mark A. Hicks
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UU theology calls us to be ever-expansive in how we make meaning of our own lives, and
also how we relate to the social context of the world. How can we ready ourselves to
welcome new experiences and people that seem strange and unfamiliar? Today we explore
the landscape of what is means to "become awake" to the stranger within ourselves and to those in our social world who experience life differently. Dr. Mark A. Hicks is a professor of transformation at George Mason University, and a member of All Souls Church in Washington, D.C. |
August 27, 2006
Less is More: Reappraising our Values
for the Sake of our Planet and Spiritual Health
Douglas Weisburger
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Are Americans leading the charge down a path of environmental degradation and collapse? Are we losing our moral and spiritual grounding in our quest for more material things? Is our lack of time somehow related to this frenzied quest? This
sermon explores the path of environmental sustainability which, it will be argued,
must be based on the recognition that there are limits to our consumption. Living
within our means is also essential to our spiritual and emotional well-being. The
former is anchored by the latter, and the latter comes from a life guided by the
heart, characterized by the embrace of the sacred and connection to our natural
world and community. |
August 20, 2006
Appalachia, Ho!
Michael Relland, Wesley Theological Seminary
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"I am the Lorax, and I speak for the trees."
Dr. Seuss' character takes on real form in the indigenous people of Appalachia, who are ready and willing to take back what is probably the most indigenous piece of Americana we've got left. This story is the original Joy and Sorrow of our nation. Great Music. Cheap Energy. What more do we Americans need? |
August 13, 2006
Musical Service
Rick and Audrey Engdahl |
Join UUCSSers Rick and Audrey Engdahl for a wonderful musical
service. |
August 6, 2006
The Real Reason for the General Assembly
Megan Foley
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Sure, the Unitarian Universalist General Assembly is a great place to learn new
things, see thousands of UUs, and get some choice shopping done. But did you
know it's also where we become a voice for change in the world? Find out how we
do this from one of this year's UUCSS delegates to the General Assembly. |
July 30, 2006
Stop Being Yourself
Mary Amato
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Join Mary Amato as she examines the concept of empathy and explores how literature, music, poetry, and drama help us to see the "other." |
July 23, 2006
You Can't Say You Can't Play
Gabrielle Farrel
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Today we explore the promise and cost of making this come true. What might be the promise of building a world where all are welcome at the table? And what might it cost us to make it happen? Gabrielle Farrell is the Religious Educator at All Souls Unitarian Church, in Washington, D.C. |
July 16, 2006
Contemporary Slavery: You Can Make a Difference
Kathryn Ellis
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This sermon won one of the Borden Sermon Awards this year. The Borden Awards are awarded to UU theology students for sermons that suggest "practical action," with the goal of "making UU principles come alive to solve problems and move our world to a better place." Kathy is a student in the Modified Residency Program of Meadville Lombard Theological School. |
July 9, 2006
Poetry Service |
The UUCSS annual Poetry Service, a chance for all to share in creative delights with each other. This year, we will also celebrate "poetry in motion" with our own Amy Polk belly dancing! We encourage everyone to bring poems to share. |
July 2, 2006
Coming Out ... Religiously
Rob Keithan, Director of the UUA Washington Office for Advocacy
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Unitarian Universalists can be a powerful religious voice for justice and equality, yet many UUs are hesitant to identify as religious people. As public and private debates about marriage equality continue across the nation, we have a unique opportunity for prophetic witness. Are we the people we’ve been waiting for? |
June 25, 2006
Meditation As a Sacred Healing Practice
Marie E. Connor, M. Ac., L. Ac.
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We will learn and practice together the art of meditation as an instrument of healing. Learn the power of silence, intention and community as forces for healing in its many forms. Marie E. Connor is an acupuncture practitioner, intuitive counselor and meditation teacher at Crossings Center for the Healing Traditions in Silver Spring. |
June 11, 2006
Flower Communion Sunday
Rev. Elizabeth Lerner and Mandy Keithan, DRE |
Woven together with tremendous music from UU’ism’s own Jim Scott and our choir, this service of remembrance and celebration is part of how we begin to close out our church year, and enter the summer season in our congregation and in our lives. Come join us for this highly participatory intergenerational worship, and please make sure each member of your party brings a flower to share and exchange. |
June 4, 2006
God, the Universe, Say Yes to Us
Rev. Elizabeth Lerner
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This service will explore ways we perhaps don’t always know or pay attention to grace, encouragement and affirmation that come our way—through the world, other people, unexpected or even ineffable sources. Come explore stories and considerations of how and when we might learn to listen better to the great "yes" when it’s coming our way.
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Sunday, May 28
Memorial Day Musical Service
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In our rush for spring and a vacation with great weather, we often forget that the Memorial Day holiday is really about remembering those we have lost. Take the time this Sunday to listen to musical pieces—played by your favorite UUCSS talent—that reflects on the meaning of loss and memory. |
May 21, 2006
Religious Education Sunday
Mandy Keithan, DRE, Rev. Elizabeth Lerner, Annemarie Stroud, and the children and youth of UUCSS
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Liz, Mandy, Annemarie, and a cast of thousands will take you through the journey of
growing up at UUCSS, from baby dedication to a bridging ceremony. This annual service
will honor new babies, graduating seniors, RE teachers, and even has a parade! A great
opportunity to learn about our children’s UU identity (the RE focus for the past year). |
May 14, 2006
Presentation by Ed White
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May 14, 2006
Roots Hold Us Close...
Rev. Elizabeth Lerner
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In times of change and transition, in all phases of life, what grounds us and keeps us, well,
us? This question obviously pertains to us as a congregation, but it also has relevance for us
each as individuals, and even, yes, ties to Mother's Day. How do we identify and sustain
and nurture what is essential to us amidst all the change of circumstance and ability the
world requires of all that grows and inhabits it? What makes us who we are? And is that the
same as what keeps us who we are? Come explore with us these issues which range from
the religious concepts of soul, heart, mind, character to the more socio-psychological
concepts of cultural context, home, and family.
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May 7, 2006
The Gospel of Who?
Rev. Elizabeth Lerner
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It's all the rage lately -- the gospel of Judas has been found, translated, interpreted, and published. You can go down and see it at the National Geographic building in downtown D.C. That's right: Judas. This morning we'll review the gospel, the tradition of gnosticism which seems its context, and what it can and can't mean for the gospels and their depiction of Jesus which the world is most familiar with in the New Testament.
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April 30, 2006
Forgiveness: The Jewish Version
Rev. Elizabeth Lerner
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Despite the popular take on the dynamic of Jewish guilt in relationships, there's a lot we don't know about how Judaism truly views the issue of guilt and forgiveness. American culture is far more familiar with the Christian view of forgiveness, involving the initiative on the part of the wronged and turning the other cheek, etc. We'll consider this dynamic and its biblical foundation and then contrast the Jewish vision of forgiveness.
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April 23, 2006
The Spirituality of Happiness
Rev. Elizabeth Lerner
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The spirituality of suffering—now that seems self-evident, as well as familiar, to many of us. The dark night of the soul is well known, but what about the bright buzz of a blazing, busy sunny afternoon? The spirituality of happiness— what is that anyway? What does it look like, feel like? Is happiness a spiritual state, and if so why and how? How do we recognize and honor it in the bright sunshine of fulfillment and content? As always, we'll do our best to explore those questions and their answers this morning.
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April 9, 2006
Our Unitarian Universalist Legacy, Practice, and Promise of Doing Justice, Loving Mercy
Rev. Dr. Terence Ellen
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Way back, Micah declared justice and mercy the center of a sacred life. Our
religious tradition has attempted to follow this guidance, keeping religion
simple and ethical. Our service will celebrate this inheritance and our
place in carrying it on.
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April 2, 2006
What A Wonderful World
Megan Foley
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Understanding the workings of the world around us can confuse us, bore us, overwhelm us, or be a source of inspiration and teachings about the divine nature of our universe. Be with us as we join the sacred, the profane, the obscure and the hilarious and look at the world through the eyes of amateur scientist and author Bill Bryson.
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March 19, 2006
Seeking Hope in a Time of War
Erik Leaver
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March 19th marks the third anniversary of one of the darkest moments of our generation, the start of the Iraq War. Addressing the UU General Assembly 40 years ago as the U.S. was fighting another war, Martin Luther King Jr. carried a message of hope saying, "We will be able to emerge from the bleak and desolate midnight of man’s inhumanity to man, into the bright and glittering daybreak of freedom and justice." This service will honor those who have died in the war and explore messages of faith and hope that arise out of its ashes.
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March 12, 2006
Let This Church Change Your Life
Rev. Elizabeth Lerner
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What does it really take to find the spiritual, communal, and personal fulfillment we seek, among other places, at church? This service of deep reflection on congregational and community experience will involve preaching, testimonials, and music. Come join us in taking another look at what it means to be part of UUCSS.
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February 26, 2006
Forward Through the Aged
Rev. Elizabeth Lerner
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February 5, 2006
Spiritual But Not Religious: The Language of Reverence, Part III
Rev. Elizabeth Lerner
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Reverend Liz will explore the next (last? who knows?) part of her exploration of this important issue in the UU movement -- what "fresh" language of reverence might look like, where it might come from, how it might compare to the traditional language we are already familiar with. Come hear and consider the third part of this theme and its place in your own spiritual journey. You can also read Part I (November 6, 2005) and Part II.(December 12, 2005). |
January 29, 2006
Celebrating the 7th Principle
Kathy Moser, artist/activist
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Saving the world can be a joyous adventure, or a heart-breaking trudge. This lighthearted service celebrates the wonder of nature in words and song, and uses that energy to inspire us to deepen our connection to and respect for the planet. For a preview, visit www.kathymoser.com. |
January 22, 2006
The Big Questions
Rev. Elizabeth Lerner
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This morning's service will address the big questions of life, but there's a twist. They will be the questions of those attending the service. Come with one religious/spiritual/theological/historical question you'd like to hear addressed from the pulpit and submit it during the service. Reverend Liz will do her best to give her take on as many as she can during the service. What hasn't come up yet that you'd like to hear something about? Come help it happen in this responsive worship service. |
January 15, 2006
Martin Luther King Sunday
Rev. Elizabeth Lerner and Dr. Jeffrey Ames
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For this annual service celebrating the life and message of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., we will be joined by Dr. Jeffrey Ames, professor of music from Baylor University in Texas, who will be working with our musicians on music from the African American tradition. Expect a rousing and rich worship service of music and reflection. |
January 8, 2006
Faith, Justice, and Marriage
Rev. Elizabeth Lerner
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Same-gender marriage is a hot-button topic in our country right now, and Unitarian Universalism is right in the thick of it. Our service will review a brief, modern history of the topic and then consider the issue as one of justice. We will also consider Unitarian Universalism's unique view of the issue and how that has shaped a role for us of national import on this issue. |
January 1, 2006
Spirituality Without Faith
Bob Hirshon
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Can rationalist reductionists be warm and fuzzy? In his third sermon on religion as seen and experienced through a secular humanist lens, Hirshon tackles faith and spirituality. What is spirituality? Can it be experienced without religious faith? The sermon is based on and inspired by the best-selling book "The End of Faith," by Sam Harris. |
